Indian Church releases a new ritual for oil blessing

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and Archbishop of Goa and Daman released a new ritual for oil blessing on April 25, 2023, at a significant occasion held at Archbishop's House, Panjim, Goa.

Father Joaquim Loiola Pereira, Official of the Archdiocese of Goa, Ms. Marina Vaz, Assistant Professor, Government Medical College, Bambolim, Goa, Mr. Nelson Fernandes, Ex-Food Safety Officer, Goa State Government, and Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General, CCBI, were present at the celebration.

The English translation of the new ritual: “Blessing the Oil of Catechumens and Sick, and Consecration of the Chrism,” will replace all previously printed versions for liturgical use in all Latin Catholic Dioceses in India."

The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments approved the updated edition of "The Order of Blessing the Oil of Catechumens and of the Sick and Consecrating the Chrism."

It is translated from the Ordo Benedicendi Oleum Catechumenorum et Infirmorum and Conficiendi Chrisma.

At Baptism, Confirmation, and during the Anointing of the Sick, the Bishop uses the Ritual to consecrate the sacred Chrism of salvation and bless the holy oils.

These prayers can be used to bless oils for catechumens and the sick in certain circumstances by priests. However, priests may use the existing translations found in the appropriate books in these situations.

The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India publishes “The Order of Blessing the Oil of Catechumens and the Sick and Consecrating the Chrism.”

For copies, contact the CCBI General Secretariat or call Mobile: +91-9886730224.